Monday 11 July 2016

First gluten free shopping trip

I didn't go shopping this weekend, which is usually when I do my shopping, so I went today. I kept a list handy of all things which mean gluten in my purse so I could whip it out and check as I read lists of ingredients (after I rummaged around to find my reading glasses... ohmygod I sound old). Here's what I discovered:
-it wasn't too tough to find things that didn't have gluten (salad dressing, yogurt, meat, cereal (Cheerios!!), cheese, eggs, all fruits and veggies, rice cakes)
-it is ridiculous to buy gluten free bread or hamburger buns because of the cost (aprx. $5.00 for four buns!!)
-I can't read anything without my reading glasses
-if I was someone who relied on ready-made food, rather than making many things from scratch, this would be a much harder endevour

I will not be eating gluten free bread, cookies, buns, or cake. For this experimental time, I will just forego. I am the one making the burgers anyway. I'll just make them without bread crumbs this time and I'll have mine without the bun. I'll just take extra salad. I saw something where people use giant Portobello mushrooms as buns. Uhhh, no. That's not a bun. Gross. You'd get that squidgy mushroom sensation every time you bit into it. Blechhhh!

My family is not going gluten free, just me. So I will cook as usual, unless it is pasta. Gluten free pasta is good enough that everyone will enjoy it. Otherwise, I will just have alternatives for myself. My latest go-to lunch / snack has been avocado smushed up, diced up tomato, a sprinkling of seasalt and a big squeeze of lime juice. (Stole the idea from a coworker). I've been spreading it on triscuit crackers. Now I'll just spread it on rice cakes. No biggy.

Here's what we had for dessert last night (and we often don't even have dessert): pineapple slices grilled on the barbecue with some brown sugar sprinkled on them as you grill them. Yumm! They are also very good with vanilla ice cream.
grilled pineapple

Observations: pain still there, no extra energy, feel the same

Onward I go.

9 comments:

  1. Sounds like you're doing a bang-up job of giving this gluten-free thing a good try! And you're right . . . what's wrong with having a hamburger without the bun? Sure, it not quite the same, but even discounting the gluten, we don't really need the extra calories or carbohydrates. It's all in what we get used to. And golly-gosh, if it helps rid your body of the pain . . . wa-hoo!!

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  2. Just loving your new headline photo!! I love grilled pineapple. Try it with a smidgey twist of black pepper too - just a smidge - it's rather lovely!

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    1. Ahhh, yes, you grow lots of delphiniums, don't you? I must confess this photo is from a previous year. This year's show isn't quite as stunning. I think I need to purchase some new delphinium plants. I never would have considered pepper with pineapple!

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  3. It sounds like a great start! I love that avocado mash. I'll have to try that. And the pineapple. Grilled. Yummy! I don't do the gluten free stuff but my best friend has been doing it for many years for her husband and son. She is pretty much a pro at this point. It gets much easier over time, she told me, and home cooking is the greatest thing of all. You control the process and there are so many more options. I hope it all goes well for you!

    And the part about the reading glasses...hahaha... I had a good laugh with that because that's me!

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  4. I'm on the same road. If you get a hankering for a baked desert, there is a wonderful Brownie recipe I can give you. Super easy and only a few ingredients. No exotic stuff.
    Going to try the grilled pineapple. I just can't have the sugar. I have pancreatitis along with the gluten sensitivity.

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  5. Brown sugar has molasses..which has gluten...sorry!!
    I know you are more concerned with the bread etc...good for you!
    I do hope your aches and pains subside...
    HOT HOT HOT here...
    Enjoy your week...
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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    1. What??? Oh man, I printed out a list of stuff from the actual celiac website, too. So anything with brown sugar / molasses is out. I know mine is not a life-threatening thing, but I'd like to be as close to gluten free as possible. Please tell me wine is o.k. (Just a question, why does your daughter have to worry about having a coffee?)

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    2. Wine is ok!
      Because at Tim Hortons or Starbucks, all the goodies are full of gluten...the flour is in the air, and even a small amount can set things off... Cross contamination is a BIG problem...

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    3. Ahhh, that makes perfect sense. Thanks.

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